Safety Group: No Improvement Expected in Motorcyclist Deaths

Motorcyclist fatalities are expected to be about the same in 2011 as they were the year before.

The number of motorcyclist traffic fatalities in the U.S. decreased by 1.7% in the first nine months of 2011 compared with a year earlier, according to preliminary data from the Governors’ Highway Safety Association.

However, the safety group said an expected surge of fatal accidents during the last few months of the year could nullify the apparent improvement. The GHSA said that in 2010 there was an uptick in fatalities in the final data compared with preliminary data. If this happens for 2011 the year’s final results should be close to the 4,502 motorcycle road deaths reported in 2010.

Officials in states with fewer motorcyclist fatalities this year attributed the decrease in to a number of factors including fewer motorcycle registrations and poor cycling conditions. National data from 1976 to 2012 show that motorcyclist fatalities track motorcycle registrations, and registrations track inflation-adjusted gasoline prices, GHSA said.

Helmet use also plays a major role in preventing motorcycle fatalities. Studies show that when worn, helmets prevent 37% of fatalities among motorcycle riders and 41% of fatal injuries to passengers.

GHSA noted that 19 states and Washington, D.C., the District of Columbia have universal helmet laws. Since 1997, seven states have repealed their universal helmet laws, most recently Michigan last month in April. Politicians have introduced repeal bills in five other states in 2012. No state has enacted a universal helmet law since Louisiana reinstated its law in 2004.